Opinions, Agreeing & Disagreeing

B1 level  ·  40-minute interactive lesson

1
2
3
4
5
6
Stage 1 — Warm-up
Sharing opinions in English
5 minutes · Discussion & context setting
Stage 1 · Warm-up

Step into a real public debate

Explore how English speakers share strong opinions, soften disagreement, and respond respectfully in a formal town council meeting.

B1 discussion skills Formal speaking Role-play scenario

Discuss with your partner:

1. Is it easy to disagree with someone in English? What makes it difficult?

2. What's the difference between saying "You're wrong" and "I'm not sure I agree"? Why does it matter?

3. In your culture, is it normal to disagree openly? How is this different in English-speaking countries?

Lesson focus

  • express opinions clearly
  • agree and disagree politely
  • use formal debate language
  • move across the full opinion scale
Teacher note: Highlight the spectrum from strong agreement to strong disagreement. English speakers often soften disagreement with hedging language. Write on the board: "Strongly agree → Partially agree → Not sure → Partially disagree → Strongly disagree".

Today's scenario — a planning meeting at Horizon City Council:

The council is deciding whether to build a new shopping centre in the town centre. Two council members have very different views. They must discuss the proposal and share their opinions respectfully in a public meeting.

Strongly agree
Partially agree
Not sure
Partially disagree
Strongly disagree

You'll use language from across this whole spectrum during the role play.

Debate format Formal register Genuine disagreement
5 min
Stage 2 — Vocabulary
Key opinion vocabulary
10 minutes · Gap-fill exercise
Click a word from the box, then click a blank to fill it. Hover over a word to see its definition.

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.

10 min
Stage 3 — Functional language
Phrases for opinions, agreeing & disagreeing
8 minutes · Study & practise
8 min
Stage 4 — Question forms
Opinion & discussion question forms drill
10 minutes · Multiple choice quiz
10 min
Stage 5 — Role play
The shopping centre debate
12 minutes · Pair work
How to use: Student A supports the shopping centre. Student B opposes it. Each person must ask for the other's opinion, give their own views, and agree or disagree using phrases from Stage 3. Try to use language from across the full scale.
12 min
Stage 6 — Summary
Lesson complete!
5 minutes · Review & feedback